In a major milestone for India’s shipbuilding industry, Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) and CMA CGM SA, the French container shipping giant, have signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) for the construction of six state-of-the-art, liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered container vessels.
The agreement, formalized during India Maritime Week 2025 being organized by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) in Mumbai, marks a significant step toward realizing India’s ambition of becoming a global shipbuilding hub.
The LoI was exchanged in the presence of Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, senior ministry officials, Mr. Madhu Nair, Chairman and Managing Director of Cochin Shipyard, and representatives from CMA CGM.
If finalized, this will be India’s first-ever container shipbuilding order, signaling a transformative moment for indigenous shipbuilding capabilities and aligning with the government’s Maritime India Vision 2030 and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.
Cochin Shipyard, known for delivering complex and high-technology vessels, will leverage its advanced infrastructure and expertise to construct the LNG-fueled ships, designed for greater energy efficiency and reduced emissions.
This partnership is expected to open new avenues for green shipbuilding in India, while enhancing the nation’s position in the global maritime value chain.